Dissertation
Adolescent sleep quality, white matter development and psychological distress: understanding the connection
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00097
Abstract
Adolescence has been shown to be a sensitive period for the onset of many mental disorders. Studies have demonstrated that the majority of mental disorders first emerge during adolescence and that anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental disorder in this age group. Anxiety disorders are also among the most persistent mental disorders typically following a life-long trajectory. Subclinical anxiety symptoms have been found to be even more prevalent than diagnosed anxiety disorders and, left untreated, will often reach the threshold of a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder.
Sleep disorders and poor sleep quality have been shown to be highly correlated with an increase in mental disorder symptomology. Studies have shown that sleep patterns undergo changes during adolescence which often lead to a reduction in sleep quality. Most notably, a circadian rhythm phase delay has been shown to occur at around the onset of puberty, peak at around 20 years of age, and then decline back to a pre-pubescent pattern in adulthood. This circadian rhythm phase delay combined with increased social activity and early school start times makes adolescence a period of increased vulnerability to chronic sleep deprivation and disruption.
Details
- Title
- Adolescent sleep quality, white matter development and psychological distress: understanding the connection
- Authors
- Daniel Jamieson
- Contributors
- Daniel Hermens (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson Institute
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00097
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99580308602621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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